This chapters pretty long and better detailed in my opinion. This chapter will make you Elwood fangirls out there fall off of your chair and the Non Elwood fangirls...idk but you'll like it as well. Alot of good things happen so just...read on
The band cheered in truimph backstage, happy about thier sucessful gig yet very tired from performing.
"Hold on guys" Jake told the band "The gig may be over, but we gotta get our dough in order to truly celebrate."
"What's wrong with being happy over a good gig?" Murph asked
"I'm not against it,I'm just saying because we were promised big bucks."
"Oh."
Jake, Elwood and Maria glanced at each other ,determined to get the money, and made their way towards Dave, who was chatting happily with his new wife.
"Say uh, Dave?" Jake asked
Dave turned his attention towards Jake and shook his hand happily
"Hey man, great gig! You guys were awesome!"
"Thanks" Jake replied, wanting to get to the main point "Say uh, Me, my brother and Maria were wondering about our money for tonight?"
"Ah, you're right!"
Dave fished his wallet for his checkbook "I normally wouldnt give this much to a band that I hired, but I can tell you guys have true talent, so I'm willing to go outside my price range."
"Which is normally what, if you mind me asking?" Elwood asked
"About 20 grand"
The trios' jaws dropped as Dave signed the check
25 thousand dollars
Maria did the calculations in her head 25 grand for Me, Elwood, Jake, Matt, Mr Fab, Don, Tom, Murph, Willie and Lou. 25 grand divided by ten is, 2,500. We have enough money for the orpahnage if we put our money together!
Dave handed the trio the check. Jake took it and shook Dave's hand, almost in awe for the amount of money
"T..thanks" Jake stammered
"No Problem man" Dave said happily. "You guys I hope make it in the music biz."
"Yeah I hope so too" Jake replied
"Hey, i gotta get going, I gott pack for the honeymoon. Nice doing busniess with you!"
"Bye"
Dave and Christy left to their limosine and drove off into the strip to get ready for thier love-filled honeymoon. Jake, Elwood, and Maria looked at the check and looked at each other.
"Twenty five grand." Elwood said, breaking the silence with a small smile as he glanced at his brother and love.
"YEAH!" Jake cheered as he raised the check in the air.
"We did it!" Maria cheered as she hugged both brothers on the waists with both of her arms. She kissed Jake on his cheek and her boyrfirend on his lips, happily. "We're saving the orphanage!"
"I say we go and celebrate tonight!" Jake exclaimed as they trio walked off to a nearby bus station.
"I don't think we should, Jake." Elwood told him "We need to take that afternoon flight back to Chicago without a hangover tomorrow."
"And I am so not drinking with you guys again!" Maria exclaimed "I say we should cash the check at a nearby bank, divide it evenly among the band so they can get their shares. Afterwards, we divide our shares so we can each pay a certain amount that will add up evenly to five grand!"
"Where can we find a bank that's open this late?" Elwood asked
"I don't know. Maybe we can go back to the hotel and ask someone." Maria thought with a shrug.
"Let's go"
The Blues Brothers and Maria arrived from the bank with 25 grand in cash. When they arrived at the hotel the first time, Maria asked about any open banks. Luckily, there was a bank nearby that was open 24/7, so the trio quickly cashed the money and got the bills in full. They found the band in the casino and called them over.
"Here you guys go!" Jake said as he divided and distributed the money to the band. "2 thousand 500 dollars for each person."
"Seriously?" Murph asked excitedly as he counted his money "This is awesome!"
The band happily agreed as they counted thier money
"Hopefully, this can contribute to the second honeymoon my wife and I have been saving up for" Matt told the brothers. "Thanks guys"
"Actually, thank you Six Strings." Tom told Maria "Since you got us this gig."
She bowed as the band said their thanks. "No problem guys. I'll be happy to do that for you guys any day."
"We need more gigs like this." Mr Fabulous said
"Yes" Maria agreed "and hopefully, our performance here will have a postitive influence that can get us to places where we wanna go!"
"Drinks are on me!" Willie exclaimed happily
The rest of the band cheered and went to the nearest bar to celebrate.
After their celebration, Elwood and Maria headed back to thier rooms, sober.
"Hey Elwood, Six Strings!"
They turned around and found Jake with his arm wrapped around a drunk woman who looked like a bridesmaid from the wedding
"This is Candace! She's a bridesmaid from that wedding we went to!" Jake slurred, obviously drunk
"Hi." Elwood and Maria said awkardly.
"You..guys were AWESOME!" She exclaimed happily with a small hiccup.
Drunk birds of a feather stick together Maria thought as she rolled her eyes.
"Elwood, I need the room tonight." jake slurred "I wanna spend my last night in Vegas in style!"
"In bed?" Maria snickered
Elwood rolled his eyes "Okay then. Maria, may I stay with you tonight?" he asked kindly
"Of course" she replied as she took his hand.
As she got a hold of his hand, he had a sudden idea of a little plan.
But he would need something from his room.
I need that Eric Clapton record
"I just need to get something real quick."
Elwood went into he and Jake's room, rummaged through his suitcase, got the record and hid it in his jacket. He stepped out of the room, in secret triumph.
"Ok Jake, the place is yours."
In a way, he felt happy that Jake had 'company' because he got a chance to be alone with his guitarist.
I hope this plan works. Eric, please don't let me down he thought as he and Maria walked down the hallway to her suite. She unlocked the door and she and Elwood stepped inside the elaborate room.
So, we finally have the money for the orphanage she thought as she got her guitar and sat on the edge of the bed as she strummed it calmly. She began thinking about what she and the band endured in order for them to get this gig and to get the money. Her thoughts trailed backwards from Camille, their arrival in Vegas, Maria crying along to the brothers' stories, them getting the gig, Elwood and Maria's first kiss, Them dressed as Bees at Garden-Land, Her first gig with them at Bob's Country Bunker, Her helping out recruiting the bandmates, to the very first day she met Jake and Elwood.
So much has happened since then...
At that moment, Maria realized she not only found love, but also found inner peace with her angry and sorrowful past dealing with her parents and her ex bands, and inner peace for saving the place she called home growing up.
She began strumming a particular Aerosmith melody, deep in thought, as Elwood took off his suit jacket
Every time I look in the mirror, all these lines on my face getting clearer The past is gone. It goes by, like dusk to dawn. Isn't that the way? Everybody's got their dues in life to pay
Elwood laid on his stomach on the bed and watched her play as she sat cross legged on the bed, facing him.
Yeah, I know nobody knows where it comes and where it goes I know it's everybody's sin. You got to lose to know how to win
Half my life is in books' written pages. Lived and learned from fools and from sages.
You know it's true.
All the things come back to you.
She looked up at Elwood and smiled as she sang to him
Sing with me, sing for the year. Sing for the laughter, sing for the tears Sing with me, if it's just for today. Maybe tomorrow, the good lord will take you away
She played a bit of the guitar solo.
Dream On Dream On Dream On Dream until your dream comes true Dream On Dream On Dream On Dream until your dream comes through Dream On Dream On Dream On Dream On
She decided to be a bit humorous and impersonated Steven Tyler as she sang very high
Dream On! Dream On! Dream On! AHHH-
"Never mind, I cant sing that part" she inturrupted bluntly in her normal voice.
Elwood chuckled a bit and she finished the song
Sing with me, sing for the year. Sing for the laughter, sing for the tears Sing with me, if it's just for today. Maybe tomorrow, the good lord will take you away
Sing with me, sing for the year. Sing for the laughter, sing for the tears Sing with me, if it's just for today. Maybe tomorrow, the good lord will take you away
Elwood applauded a bit and spoke up "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Um...Why do you sing to me?"
She looked up at him, her dark eyes looking a bit hurt "Because I like singing to you." she added with a blink of her long lashes "Don't you like it?"
"Oh, of course! I love it!" he exclaimed as he looked up at her, still on his stomach "I ask because...no woman I've been with has sang to me before" he added with a small, shy smile "And...I never really paid attention to that fact until I met you."
Aww!
She smiled at him, feeling better on why he asked her that question.
"I think women should do at least some serenading." She told him "It's romantic, and it makes things different, ya' know?"
"Yeah" he agreed. "Speaking of serenading, there's this song I listened to today by Eric Clapton that I like."
"Which one is it?" she asked
"I think it's this one..." Elwood said as he got the record from his jacket pocket.
He went up to the record player and put on the record. The first song was "Bell Bottom Blues"
"Oh wait, it's not this one." he said
She chuckled a bit and put up her guitar. As she put it in her case, she looked outside the balcony window at the illuminated city. Many of Vegas' hotels such as Excalibur, The Luxor, The Venician were all beautifully lit and she gazed at them in awe. She opened the sliding door and leaned forward a bit, still gazing at the scenery. Elwood came from behind and stood next to her and also looked out into the city.
"It was fun being here."
"I hope we'll be able to come back in the future." she said
"When we're rich and famous, we can come here anytime we want."
"I hope so" she replied with a small smile "I really want to come back to this place. Despite the hookers, gambling and drunk people, this is actually a beautiful city"
"Yeah it is." Elwood agreed "I would like to get out of Calumet City and move to a city like this."
"Maybe to Chicago?" she asked
"Yeah maybe. You and Jake can move in with me and we'll share a big house."
"I'd love that" she said, facing him
He smiled shyly at her, until he noticed the very song he wanted to play for her was playing on the record player.
"Here's the song I was talking about" he told her.
"Oh, this song's beautiful." she said dreamily "I've always loved it."
Yes! The plan's gonna work! Elwood thought in sercet triumph
His plan was to sing to her one on one so he can truly admit his feelings towards her and he could hopefully, have a positive response in return.
He began singing along with the record.
It's late in the evening; she's wondering what clothes to wear.
She puts on her make-up
He gently stroked her hair lovingly
and brushes her long black hair
Maria blushed as she watched Elwood sing and felt his hand through her hair. Eric doesnt' say long black hair; he says blond she thought shyly He's singing to me
and then she asks me, "Do I look all right? "And I say, "Yes, you look wonderful tonight."
Maria felt like melting butter,as she listend to him sing, but she remained calm and led Elwood inside the room as she shut the sliding door
We go to a party and everyone turns to see
He held her hand gently with a shy smile.
this beautiful lady that's walking around with me.
And then she asks me, "Do you feel all right?" And I say, "Yes, I feel wonderful tonight."
She chuckled at how cute he seemed to her, until he gently cupped her face in his hands and looked directly at her. She realized he wasn't just singing to her to make her smile; he was singing to her because he truly felt what the song was saying.
I feel wonderful because I see the love light in your eyes.
She smiled peacefully and leaned her head forward, thier noses and foreheads touching
And the wonder of it all is that you just don't realize how much I love you.
Both of their pulses sped up excitedly as Elwood said those words. He finally admitted to her that he loved her, and Maira couldn't be happier. Her eyes began to get glassy a bit, but she held them back and let Elwood finish the song
It's time to go home now and I've got an aching head, so I give her the car keys and she helps me to bed.
And then I tell her, as I turn out the light, I say, "My darling, you were wonderful tonight. Oh my darling, you were wonderful tonight."
"That was beautiful" Maria managed to say to him after he finshed.
"I didn't know how else to tell you that...I loved you and...I hoped that song would've helped." he admitted to her
"It did." she said with a chuckle. "Oh Elwood..."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him the most passionate kiss he had ever received.
"I love you too" she said seductively
He held her tightly around her waist and kissed back, feeling like he was on cloud nine, just like the time they had their first kiss.
only stronger.
After a few passionate seconds, his hand trailed upwards from her waist and towards the dress' zipper, fighting the tepmtation to zip it down.
Should I? Or should I not?
No woman had made him feel like this good in a long time. He wanted to express his love phycically since he already expressed it through words, but he didn't want to offend her if she wasn't up for it. In the end, his fingers got a hold of the zipper and he began pulling it down gently. Her dress became loose and soon, it was around her ankles exposing her black strapless bra and panties. Maria, felt the dress go down and stopped kissing him.
"Hold on" she said, knowing where his actions are gonna lead to and feeling nervous about it "before we go any further, there's a something I need to get off my chest first."
"Ok" he replied, once he saw how serious she was.
Damn, maybe that was a bad idea
"I..uh...don't know if I can do this"
"Well uh..." Elwood began "If you dont want to, I'll be alright with it. I won't force you."
"No, I do want to, but...I dont know if i can because...I've never done this before."
"Really?"
she nodded sadly
"I promised myself I would save myself for the person I love and...I never loved anyone" she added with a nervous chuckle "People have called me a prude because of that"
"Youre not a prude." Elwood told her honestly "You just weren't ready to make a big sacrifice like that. You can't force yourself to be ready for that. You have to be comfortable with it first on your own."
"I dont know how guys would normally react to that, so I was nervous about telling you that." she admitted
"You didn't need to be." he said kindly "I'm not angry about that at all. I actually applaud you, because not alot of women can admit that and keep thier virginity."
She sighed and kissed him again "Thank you for being so understanding"
"Of course" he said with a small smile.
She continued kissing him and aimed for his tie, showing Elwood she had a newfound confedence about her decision to sacrifice her virginity. Elwood raised an eyebrow, a bit suprised by what she was doing, especially since she did the same thing in his dream about her.
Talk about Deja Vu...
He of course, wouldn't admit that outloud, but that doesnt mean he couldn't enjoy it since it was happening to him in reality. His tie became undone and she aimed for his shirt buttons.
Thank god this won't end like my dream he thought as his last shirt button was undone.
Maria noticed the shirtless Elwood in front of her and smiled slyly at his slender body, especially at his six pack. She felt them gently with her smooth hand, seducing him even more than he already was. He then realized that she was making a sacrifice to him that meant alot to her...so he felt like he should do the same...
"Uh...M..Maria?" he managed to say as he noticed she was aiming for his belt buckle
"Yes?"
"I...need to...get something off my chest as well"
"What is it?" she asked
"I too made a promise to myself about something. It may sound ridiculous, but...I know you'll understand."
"Understand what?" she asked curiously
He sighed and ran his hand through his hair nervously "What if I were to tell you...that there's something about a certain part of my body that ...you may not be used to, would you be ok with it?"
"Well..." she began with a shrug "Sure. I'm not with you for your body, so I dont see why not."
His heart raced in anxiety as he lowered his head and prepared to do something that he has never done before.
To show a woman he loved the face behind the shades.
His fingers reached for his shades and he slowly slid them from his temples. He looked up at her nervously with clear non shaded eyes. Maria gasped a bit, suprised she was seeing his full face for the first time since they have known each other.
She noticed Elwood looked completely different without the shades; but in a really good way. He was really handsome and he had stunning eyes and as she looked closely at them, she noticed they were different colors. The right eye was green and the left one was brown.
"Oh wow..." she said quietly in awe.
"I've never liked the way my eyes were. I felt like a freak so thats why I never showed my eyes to anyone, especially women." Elwood admitted sadly
She felt bad for him, because she knew not everyone would share her opinion about how his eyes looked. "You know what though? You dont need to worry about them anymore because I like them" she said sympathetically "Green and Brown were always my favorite eye colors."
"They were?" he asked, feeling hopeful and happier
"Yes." she said "I don't see anything wrong with having two different colored eyes. I think it's unique and I like that. Besides..."
She kissed him on his cheek.
"It's nice to see what you really look like, especially since you're handsome and you're eyes are gorgeous." she said seductively in his ear
Well Elwood thought slyly as her lips trailed to his neck, where he liked it. She took that better than I thought...
He closed his eyes and let her kiss him as she aimed once more for his belt buckle which was good for him since he felt his pants get just a bit tighter, much to Maria's amusement. The two young lovers then aimed for their king sized bed, and got under the covers. Elwood kissed her slender stomach and began to get lower and lower...As he did that, he thought about what he said whenever he and Jake would perform "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love"
When you do find that somebody, Hold that woman, hold that man Love him, please him, squeeze her, please her,
Hold, squeeze and please that person, give 'em all your love Signify your feelings with every gentle caress Because it's so important to have that special somebody to hold, kiss, miss, squeeze and please
He took those words to heart as the loving couple continued their hotel bliss throughout the rest of the night.
AN: You know when I was typing this whole thing out, I thought to myself "I hope this isnt too explicit. This isn't supposed to be X rated" Well...that thought can kiss my ass because it came out AWESOME! So stick that in a juice box and Suck it! I'm glad it came out calmer than those 'lemon' chapters love stories usually have. I will NOT write those. This was already romantic and deatiled enough, I dont wanna turn it into a porno.
I must admit though, when I was typing this chapter, I wasnt listening to any romantic love song for inspiration. I was mainly listeining to "Love in an Elevator" by Aerosmith.
God, I am such a perv...(facepalms)
Anyway, Now do you see why I took forever with this chapter? I had to get it just right and go beyond my limitations just so the love between those musicians can be realistic...
You're welcome...haha
I just hope the ending didnt seem rushed.
BTW: I wanna thanks to my friend Devin who let me borrow her idea of Elwood having abs. When she told me that I thought "oh crap, I so gotta use that idea"
I thought it would make things just a bit hotter for the story and for Elwood...giggity.